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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A LUPANE man who raped his employer’s 11-year-old daughter before silencing her by threatening to “strike her with lightning” was exposed when the victim screamed in her sleep, calling out her assailant’s name, a magistrate heard.
Amin Mahlangu, 21, of Ndimimbili village, raped the victim for four consecutive days.
He would then silence the girl by threatening to use charms to cast a spell on her.

Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira convicted Mahlangu on his own plea of guilty to rape and sentenced him to 20 years in jail.
Mahlangu will, however, serve an effective 16 years in prison after four years were conditionally suspended for five years.

Prosecuting, Tinashe Dzipe told how between July 16 and July 19, 2014, Mahlangu would sneak into the victim’s room during odd hours and rape her.

“Mahlangu, who was employed by the girl’s parents to mould bricks, was on July 16 offered accommodation in one of the rooms to use during the period of his temporary employment. On the first day, he tip-toed out of his room during the night and walked into the victim’s room,” said Dzipe.

Mahlangu found the girl snoring and sneaked into her blankets. He removed her panties before lying on top of her.
The victim woke up from the disturbance and fumbled for her torch and switched it on. It was during that moment that she came face to face with Mahlangu.

“Mahlangu fished out a root and showed the girl. He told the victim that if she screamed he would use the plant to cast a spell on her before he proceeded to rape the girl. After the act, Mahlangu ordered the girl not to report to anyone amid threats to strike her with lightning,” said Dzipe.

The court was told that Mahlangu continued sneaking into the victim’s room and raping her for the following three consecutive days.
On July 20, the victim recollected her ordeal in a nightmare and her cousin heard her screaming and shouting Mahlangu’s name.

The girl’s cousin became suspicious and alerted the girl’s parents who then quizzed her until she revealed the rape.
A report was made to the police leading to Mahlangu’s arrest.

Mahlangu admitted he threatened to cast a spell on the girl if she reported the matter to anyone. He, however, told the court that he only raped the girl once.

“I only raped the girl on the first day and thereafter she would come to my room on her own in the middle of the night and ask for sex,” said Mahlangu.

In sentencing Mahlangu, the magistrate noted that there was an increase in cases of child abuse which called for stiffer sentences.
“The accused was ungrateful considering that he was offered a job and accommodation by the victim’s parents but went on to rape their daughter. Cases of girls being sexually abused are on the rise in the country and therefore a deterrent sentence is called for. A long term in prison is appropriate,” ruled Dzira.